The #EndSars protests in Nigeria has rapidly degenerated to violent confrontations between the Nigerian law enforcement authorities and the protesters.
In a protest that had been largely void of drama, things got out of hand particularly yesterday in Nigeria’s biggest city, Lagos as the law enforcement agents opened fire on protesters killing over a dozen persons and wounding multitudes.
The events at the Lekki Toll gate have sparked widespread condemnations from the Nigerian celebrities and the international community amongst others.
Thougg videos of the confrontations between Nigerian protesters and the police have gone viral,, local authorities in Lagos have threatened media organs from releasing footage that could go make things worse for the country.
Things are clearly getting out of perspective in Nigeria as the latest developments have changed the dynamics of the protests from demanding to the abolition of SARS to demanding a complete overhaul of the current regime.
This particularly is very similar to what happened with the Anglophone protests in September 2017 that has led to what we have today. Peaceful protesters flooded the streets in the Anglophone regions demanding an end to Anglophone marginalization.
While the Head of State was preaching peace at the 72nd UN General Assembly, the army opened fire on Anglophone protesters killing dozens across the Anglophone regions.
Some other protesters were followed right into bushes with helicopters and shot dead. The events of that day have since led to the emergence of the Separatist fighters who were formed to counter the threat posed by the Cameroonian military.
Things have since then gotten worse with the open conflict in the two regions leading to a massive exodus of more than 2 million persons out of the region to either Neighboring country Nigeria as Refugees, or to other Francophone regions as internally displaced persons.
Mimi Mefo Info